Carmen Sandiego - The Final Caper

Chapter 1 - The Rooftop

"Now remember Agent Argent, our mission is to capture Carmen Sandiego. You cannot let her get away again."

Chief looked at me with a stern expression. Whatever reservations I had about taking in Carmen I have to put aside.

"I won't let you down chief."

She nodded and the hologram dissipated, the pen clattering to the floor. Agent Zari turned to me.

"We'll alternate between floors, I'll take odd, you take even."

We both turned to the large parking lot behind us. The 20-floor giant was surprisingly empty, with only a small handful of cars spread throughout. One of which was a rental which was paid for with an account that was flagged as belonging to the crimson thief. We nodded to each other and entered the building.

We scaled through the floors, one by one, checking the lots. I moved quicker than my partner, and quickly made it to the top floor. As I was about to burst through the door, I heard the ending of a conversation.

"Player I'm about to set off an EMP, if you don't hear from me in two hours tell Ivy to check under my pillow. There will be 4 letters, addressed to each of the crew. Wait another half hour then open them."

There was a brief pause, presumably for this "Player" to respond. Carmen let out a sigh.

"I'm fine Player. Goodbye."

There was a loud beeping noise, followed by loud static in my ear. I ran onto the rooftop, knowing that she may make her escape at any time.

"Take another step and I jump."

The voice made me stop. It was the voice of Carmen Sandiego, but different somehow? Her, but sadder, more resigned.

"I cannot let you escape this time. Not after how you betrayed ACME."

I wanted her to say something, anything, that would prove her innocent.

"Then I wouldn't recommend coming closer. Jules."

The way she said my name, like she was taunting me.

"And I would lock that door if I were you. I don't think your partner would have the same sense that you do."

I wanted to keep her talking so I complied with her request.

"If I stay back here, will you at least answer my questions before you glide away?"

She smirked and turned her back, showing her hoodie.

"No glider today. In fact, no gadgets at all. Only a pen and some paper."

She gestured to a pile of gadgets off to the side, right next to the van we were tracking.

"You can have them if you want, I won't be needing them anymore."

I started to think. Was this some elaborate trap? Why would she try to escape with nothing on her? Then it clicked.

"But why would you do that? You have so much to live for!"

She smirked and sat on the edge and gestured for me to sit as well.

"It's been a rough few weeks Jules. I know some things that I'd rather not and now don't know who to trust."

After some egging, I learned all about the elusive Carmen Sandiego, how she got her name, and finally, what drove her to this point. Agent Zari had left to call Chief maybe 20 minutes ago and I could hear the sounds of helicopters in the distance. She could too and as she turned back towards the edge, I knew I had to think fast. I started moving silently towards her as she was distracted.

"You're lucky Jules. You got to be the last person to talk to the elusive Carmen Sandiego. Sorry you didn't get to catch me."

She turned her head to look at me and her eyes widened as she saw how close I was. She tried to get off the edge, but I managed to grab her hoodie and pull her back. As she started to struggle, I sprayed her with the ACME issue knockout gas, whispering two words as she fell asleep.

"I'm sorry."

This is my first story so any advice is welcome!

Also please don't worry about my mental health like almost everyone I showed the drafts to, I'm fine.